'Feelpinions' on same-sex marriage will give Labor power

by ojacques

Owen Jacques
News Editor

Owen Jacques is an award-winning investigative journalist from Mackay, now based on the Sunshine Coast as APN Australian Regional Media’s Online News Editor. He has a strong background reporting on politics, business and breaking news. Owen has also specialised in resources reporting, which included a successful campaign to fight 100% fly-in, fly-out mining in rural Queensland towns.

Just four need to cross the floor and support Liberal Senator Dean Smith's private member's bill and it should pass.

The rest of the Coalition can stand arms folded as this political minefield is easily crossed and defused.

Once it becomes legal, same-sex marriage will vanish from the agenda.Gemima Harvey/Coffs Coast Advoca

But no, instead the snowflakes inside the Liberal Party and Nationals are demanding the party dump a long-held tradition - one that sets them apart from Labor - and ban members from crossing the floor.

They have feelings and opinions about this, and like a two-year-old demanding cake, they won't budge.

Better this issue weigh down their side, cost them votes, and distract the public from its policy.

And let's not forget that venom from Tony Abbott that targets the Prime Minister and his team. That's not undermining, that's just speaking your mind.

But a handful of MPs voting for same-sex marriage? Unforgivable.

Remember when conservative Nationals MP George Christensen crossed the floor to support a Labor bill? That's apparently completely different from MPs supporting a bill from their own party.MICK TSIKAS

The hard-right are still hoping for some kind of ballot, a costly and complicated ordeal which will deliver a result no one will be happy with. If same-sex marriage wins out, the conservatives are unlikely to honour the verdict.

If it doesn't, the issue won't quietly vanish. The pressure will just keep building. This is a no-win game for the Coalition.

If the government can't take same-sex marriage off the table, the attacks and distractions will continue right up to the next election.